We never wanted for anything, except maybe more time together....When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder -- and money tighter -- since his father died and the family bakery closed...Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning.What he got from her instead was a sweater. "A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie left in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room.Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family -- and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell -- to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart.Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives -- while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.

    Deftly combining his Santa persona with his passion for God, Butchart reveals himself as a once-hardened Marine who found Jesus and began to serve others in unusual ways. Readers who open The Red Suit Diaries will find themselves transfixed-from Santa's day job refurbishing medical equipment for the disabled, to the sweetest of secrets whispered in Santa's ear and written in letters, and the story of how he unknowingly found "Mrs. Claus." Woven throughout is a faith-and a joy of giving-that energizes Butchart's mission to spread love to all kinds of children and adults. This fun-spirited, inspirational read will delight collectors of Christmas books and anyone who's a child at heart.

    Connie Guttersen originally created the Sonoma Diet to provide people with a satisfying, healthful, and above all, delicious way to lose weight. Now, her cutting-edge plan--inspired by the sun-drenched cuisines of the Mediterranean and California's wine country--is better than ever. The New Sonoma Diet features the latest in nutritional science and a feast of fresh recipes. More than half of this edition is entirely new!Includes: o Detailed diet plans and menus--and no food category is off limits, even wine o By popular demand, features new Sonoma Express quick meals and Sonoma Made Simple, with a “cook once, eat twice” philosophy and time-saving kitchen strategies o New recipe ideas for family, gluten-free, and on-the-go meals, as well as breakfast o Ideas for entertaining wine country style, with food and wine pairings o The patented plate and bowl concept, which makes it easy to balance portion sizes and eliminates calorie counting o Breakthrough nutrition science, featuring the glycemic load measure o The skinny on 12 nutrient-rich power foods, and why they're essential to good health

    From small closets to large studios, you'll see real examples of what makes an efficient, functional, and inviting quilting space. You'll identify what's causing the clutter, learn how to turn it into a more creative zone, and find more time to do what you love-quilt!"

    Celebrating Christmas is so often about nostalgia. With a nod and a wink to the days of Christmas past, It's a Wonderful Christmas presents classic images of the Yuletide icons of mid-20th-century America.Bubbler lights and glow-in-the-dark icicles. Catalogues crammed with toys. Norad bulletins tracking Rudolph's red nose through the nighttime sky. Along with hundreds of such quintessentially American illustrations, author Susan Waggoner stocking-stuffs her lively text with fascinating bits of information, lore, and lists. Wonder what the all-time most popular Christmas song is? How the tradition of the department store Santa got started? The answers are here. Loaded with images of vintage Christmas cards, wrapping paper, magazine ads, Lionel toy trains, and more, all in full color, this charming book will appeal to anyone who associates Christmas with home movies, "The Chipmunk Song," and Santa relaxing with an ice-cold bottle of Coca-Cola.

    As a tight end, I rise to the occasion just like the best of them...and then some. I have a reputation with the hot little college chicks, and my package does too. There's just one problem. Holly Snow. She's the rebellious firecracker of a wildcat, living it up in her senior year, and now she's fixing to find out firsthand if all the rumors are true. Oh, and she's the daughter of my head coach. Holly shows up at a party a few days before thanksgiving, and one thing leads to another. Next thing I know, we're way too close. I know better than to look in her direction. I don't even like the holidays. Dating her is as dangerous as it gets for me, on and off the football field. But hell, I live for danger. Holly Snow I'm wild and mouthy, but I have my head in the game. I worked hard, put in my time, and waited until senior year of college to let loose. My future is set. At least I thought so until I got dirty with Carver Johnson, the arrogant jock with the filthy mouth. His touch alone ignites my skin and leaves me breathless...never mind that the rumors are not just true, they're understated. Daddy still thinks I'm a good girl. Boy, is he wrong. It's going to take a holiday miracle to keep a scandalous secret under wraps. *Author's notes. - His Christmas Package is a full-length, standalone holiday story with a HEA ending and no cliffhanger. This story is light on football and heavy on steamy romance. - Lance Jones Tattoo Model, image photography by SC-Photo (Shelton Cole)

    A collection of actual stories from around the world depicts the true meaning of Christmas and serves as a testament to the joyous spirit and the good in people.

    Understand the anticipation and waiting the Old Testament world endured, the joy and new life signaled by the coming of Christ, and the way Advent points to the glory of God still to come. (5 sessions)Features: Beautiful, full-color designed pages to ready participants for the Christmas seasonPersonal study segments to complete between 5 weeks of group sessionsWeekly activities for adults, teens, and kidsTips to guide discussion within small groupsBenefits: Fuel your worship of Christ with a deeper understanding of Advent.Grasp God's character and His work on behalf of His people, in the past and present, as a catalyst to a more intimate relationship with Him.Learn how to practically extend joy, hope, peace, and love to others during the holiday season.

     ‘Tis the Season hits the spot with romance readers looking for a light and sweet holiday read. Small Town Rural, Magical Midnight Rides, and First Kisses bringing joy, happiness, and unforgettable romance with this group of award-winning and talented authors.

    After losing her job as a teacher, she finds herself broke, unemployed, and tricked into accepting a date from a department store Santa Claus. When new opportunities and new love interests present themselves, will Hailey choose a career and a man she's always admired, or will she wait for the identity of her Secret Santa to be revealed?

    

    I love the decorations, being surrounded by family, time of quiet reflection and busy (sometimes crazy) get-together with loved ones.And then of course there are the presents. I used to have a bit of a “love/hate” relationship with Christmas presents. I loved being able to give nice gifts, but always felt like we had to keep up with what everyone else was doing. The whole commercialization and keeping up with dollar amounts was getting to me.That’s when I decided to focus on more meaningful homemade gifts that didn’t cost much to make.They were very well received by family and friends. In this short book, I would like to share some of those ideas with you.You don’t need to be super crafty for many of these gift ideas. I’m including a wide variety of ideas and I’m sure just reading through the pages will give you more ideas of your own as well. You’ll be ready to make gifts for:* Handmade treasures for your kids or grand-kids* Meaningful gifts for close relatives and friends* Quick ideas for thoughtful gifts for teachers, mailmen etc.* Help your kids make gifts for grandparents, teacher and friends* Heartfelt gifts for neighbors, friends and more …

    As a servant she has no rights and her memories of the days before she was a servant were too bittersweet to handle. She knew her father and brother wouldn't want her to be in this situation so she felt she owed it to them to find a solution on her own. The only solution that makes sense is to answer an ad to go west as a mail order bride. Sam Nelson was alone on his farm just outside town. Oregon was a lovely place and he was happy there, but he was lonely. His parents had left the farm to him and he was becoming even more successful than his father had been. Something was missing, though. He wanted companionship and a family. For that he'd need a wife. When Rose heard from Sam Nelson that he'd like her to come to Oregon to marry him she was beside herself. Her goal of getting out of the Whitney house by Christmas just might happen. When he meets her at the stagecoach stop, she can't believe her luck. He's handsome, kind, and genuinely concerned for her. Can she really trust him, though? If she does, will her past really be behind her?

    A single father too busy for love. Could their chance meeting be the start of something magical? With Christmas fast approaching, Kayla Jones is preparing for another cold, and lonely, December. But a lost little girl and her father soon change all that and, with them by her side, Kayla finds herself rediscovering the magic of the season… DECEMBER MAGIC is the perfect winter romance, full of love and laughter, ideal for fans of Kirsty Greenwood, Sophie Kinsella and Becky Monson.

    When she decides to design and build a sugar cookie nativity scene, all she needs is the right cookie cutters—and handsome blacksmith Kyle Smoker is the one she asks for help. Using Kyle’s handmade cutters, Alyssa creates a striking display that brings more tourists to the bakery than she can handle. And when shoppers request handmade cookie cutters of their own, Kyle finds himself overwhelmed by the demand. As Christmas approaches, Alyssa realizes she’s been too caught up in work to focus on the true meaning of Christmas—and too distracted to explore the feelings she has for Kyle. Together, they put aside the holiday rush and spend their time celebrating the season that has brought them together.